Love Poundbury Through Your Lens: Meet Your Judges
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Three of Dorset's top photographers will choose the winning images from our community photography competition — and they're looking for more than just pretty pictures.
Whether you've been living in Poundbury since the first homes were built or have just moved here, whether you work here or are a visitor who loves the architecture and atmosphere, now's your chance to capture what makes this place special to you. Our "Love Poundbury Through Your Lens" photography competition invites anyone to submit their best shots — and we're delighted to have secured three accomplished professional photographers to judge the entries.
Jamie Clarke, Chris Frost, and Jane Norman bring decades of combined experience, distinctive creative perspectives, and a genuine appreciation for what makes a photograph truly stand out. Here's what each of them will be looking for — and what they bring to the judging panel.
"When viewing other photographers and artists work, the images that I find myself drawn to are creative in their use of light."
Jamie Clarke is a professional photographer and artist. His passion for fine art flora photography runs alongside a 20-year career shooting advertising photography in London. His creative style with Emulsion Lifts is a photographic technique that produces a unique image. In a delicate process, by hand, he transfers the emulsion of a photographic print onto watercolour paper. The muted colours, soft tones, together with creases and unpredictable tears, work in harmony with the subject matter of flora.
"When judging the competition, I will be looking for images that go beyond simple documentation. Photographs that show creativity, thought, and a personal connection to Poundbury, using light, composition, and atmosphere to tell a story."
Chris is a Dorset-based landscape photographer who runs workshops and tours across the UK and Europe. His work is rooted in a strong sense of place, with a focus on atmosphere, light, and visual storytelling.
While much of Chris's earlier work focused on dramatic seascapes along the Dorset coastline, his photography has naturally evolved in recent years. Time spent exploring Dorset's lesser-known woodlands has led to a quieter, more contemplative style, with mist-filled mornings, subtle light, and delicate details now playing a central role in his work.
Alongside his local projects, Chris has been fortunate to travel extensively over the past few years, photographing a wide range of landscapes across Europe and further afield. This broader experience has allowed him to work in varied environments and styles, further shaping his approach to landscape photography.
"I will be looking for good composition, creativity, technical skill (i.e. being in focus is a good start!). Does it tell a story (i.e. is it recognisable as Poundbury, and not just the obvious)? And does it answer the brief?"
Jane Norman, BA (Hons), MA, is a photojournalist educated at West Surrey College of Art & Design. Jane is well known for her decade-long photography role at Blackmore Vale Magazine and Stour & Avon Magazine, which ceased in 2020. Her recent projects span local community and arts groups, including The Society of Dorset Men and Art in Poundbury. In 2024, she co-founded Dorset Art Girls, curating successful exhibitions and fundraising events, with further shows planned into 2026.
Jane has been instrumental to this competition from the very beginning. Not only is she serving as one of our judges, but she also generously designed the distinctive "Through Your Lens" logo that has become the visual identity of the competition. Her creative contribution has helped establish the competition's professional character, and we're tremendously grateful for her time, talent, and support in bringing this community project to life.
Your Turn: Show Us Poundbury Through Your Lens
The message from all three judges is clear: they want to see creativity, atmosphere, and personal perspective. Whether you're working with a professional camera or a smartphone, whether you favour dramatic architecture or intimate details, there's room for every style and approach. What matters is that your image captures something genuine about Poundbury — the light, the mood, the sense of place.
Ready to enter? Visit www.lovepoundbury.org/through-your-lens for full competition details and submission guidelines.
Want advice on formatting your photos? Check out this Tech Tuesday article
